EGUNGUN (Brazil 1964)

This post is an answer of an previous post about Dahomey's Egungun music. This LP is taken from a fantastic work about Egungun ceremonies in Salvador de Bahia. Recorded in 1964, nothing changed between Benin and Brazil.

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"Only the spirits that are specially prepared to be invoked and to materialize can receive the name of Egungun, Baba Egun. The main objective of the cult is to make visible the spirits of the ancestors which act as a link between the living and their forefathers. Thus, the Baba bring to their descenders and believers, their blessings and advice but can not be touched. The Egun must always remain seperated from the living."

Side A:

1. Iba Orisha Iba Onile

Salutation to Onile at the beginning of every ceremony.

2. Osanyin

Three chants praising Osanyin, patron of leaves and medecine.

3. Egunugun Kigbale

Through this chant the ancestors are called to come and embody themselves in the world of the living.

4. Ewo Nile

Warning call, something is going to happen. The ancestor is going to arrive.

5. Oro Abi Oro

This chant expresses the meaning of the rit itself oro), re-enacting the comunity links, bringing happiness, goodness and welfare.

6. Onile Mo Bodo Ile

Baba is arriving, he announces himself saluting the elders and asking permission to come in.

7. Nile Wa Alagbe

Baba sings, encouraging the Alagbe, the ritual musicians.

8. Agboula Ago Nile

When Agboula comes to world, evrything rejoices in happiness

9. O She Wara Wara

Two chants in homage to Shango, divine ancestor of the royal dinasty of Oyo from where the Agboula community traces its origins. Many of the Egun revered today, were in life, Shango worshipers.

Side B:

1. Salutations to Baba Olukutun, head of all the ancestors.

2. Loni Ojo Odun

Two chants of great joy for the annual festival of Baba Olukotum. A burst of rockest intensifies the ceremony.

3. Kiye KiyeBo Iroko

Homage to the Egun of the forefathers that were in lifetime woreshipers.

4. Orisha Wa Iye

A chant calling the entities to come and dance with joy.

5. Afulele Ade

A chant in homage to Oya Igbale, queen and patroness of the Egun.

6.Omi Ro

A most profound chnat that evokes all african ancestry.

7. Aluja

The drums play the Aluja, the favourite rhythm and dance for Shango, head of kings, Alafin of Oyo, owner and patron of fire and thunder.